> I kind of wanted to learn to weld anyway. These new wire machines look like
> great toys! Is it very hard to learn? Since we are not building space
> shuttles for NASA, can I learn on the Spit without peril?
>
> The most critical (and tedious) part of the project would seem to be cutting
> out the old stuff. What tools do I need for that? Is a nibber essential?
> How about a flanger? Or do the the new pieces just butt? Do I need an air
> chisel? The only tools I have toward this project to date a a great air
> compressor and a match. What else should I get, and what should I avoid?
>
> All help is appreciated. (Its time to make a Christmas list, you know).
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Brian,
That's going to be some kind of list. Lets start with the welder. It's
been my experience that the regular old oxyacetylene gas is the most
versatile, not the easiest, but the most versatile to use. The next would
be the wirefeed, and if your getting a wirefeed get the inert gas bottle
option. Don't settle for the coated wire, it doesn't make as clean a weld,
and has considerably more splatter. Then comes the spot welder. I have all
three, and there are applications requiring all of them. For factory panel
welds, you can't BEAT the spot welder! Actually the easiest to use, with no
distortion when welding the panels and that great factory look - not so with
the other methods. Wirefeed is next and fairly easy to use, but it's much
more difficult to weld thin body panels with than a gas welder. (But it's
great for frame, and suspension's) With gas welding and brazing (and to some
extent wirefeed), you will get distortion around the weld area that will
have to be removed as you weld/braze to get the panels reasonably straight
before final body work. With costs, in order, the gas will be the cheapest,
with the spotwelder next and the wirefeed the most expensive. As I
mentioned before, the gas will be the most versatile as you will be able to
braze and solder as well as weld, something the other welders won't do. As
for cutting, again you will encounter different requirements for different
jobs (nothings simple is it?) An air chisel is great for removing spot welds
and old rivets/bolts but can do nasty things to thin body panels. One tool
I can say that will be a must have would be a good high speed 4" body
grinder. This is one tool well worth the money! (Just ask al the tool
man!). You'll end up using your drill, air chisel, hammer, shears, tin
snips, grinder, saber saw, hack saw, (a good 6" body saw is nice), gas
cutting torch ( did I mention you can cut with your welder too?) as well as
a nibbler (did I leave any thing out?). Replacing body panels CORRECTLY
requires quite a cash outlay. I guess you have to look at what you want to
accomplish/learn as to how far you a willing to extend yourself. For me, I
never regret buying good tools - and with the number of vehicles I own, and
the work I do on them it has been well worth it!
Barry Schwartz
Bschwartz@encad.com (work)
Bschwart@pacbell.net (home)
(San Diego)
70' Spitfire (under-going major surgery) , 72'-V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
70'GT6+
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